Summary

The position serves as a GS-14 Computer Scientist in the OCCS Medical Language Branch, providing senior technical leadership for the modernization, security, and operation of biomedical information systems, including UMLS, RxNorm, MeSH, CDE, and VSAC. The position advances modern software architecture, secure, reliable, and AI-enabled solutions that support clinical interoperability, biomedical research, and high-quality health data used by federal agencies and healthcare organizations.

Duties

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As a Computer Scientist, you will:

• Plan, organize, direct, coordinate, and execute advanced computing and bioinformatics systems.
• Formulate overall design concepts and criteria which establish the baseline for advancement of scientific software applications and establishes system design characteristics to meet requirements.
• Direct in-house efforts and provides technical leadership for the development, modernization, enhancement, and production support of mission-critical biomedical terminology and information systems, ensuring scalability, security, reliability, and interoperability across systems and data platforms.
• Research, evaluate, and recommend the adoption of advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence and emerging solutions, to modernize existing systems, improve interoperability, enhance biomedical research and information services, and advance NLM's mission to provide the public and health professionals with trusted, accessible, and high-quality health information.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• U.S. Citizenship requirement or proof of being a U.S. National must be met by closing date.
• Employment is subject to the successful completion of the pre-appointment process (i.e., background investigation, verification of qualifications and job requirements, completion of onboarding forms, submission of required documents, etc.)
• Position requires Education.
• Males born after December 31, 1959 must be registered with the Selective Service.
• Applicants must meet all qualifications requirements within thirty (30) calendar days of the closing date of this announcement, including time in grade.
• Position requires Financial Disclosure.

Qualifications

In order to qualify for a Computer Scientist, GS-1550 position, you must have:

• A full four (4)-year course of study that meets all the requirements for a bachelor's degree in computer science. OR
• A bachelor's degree with thirty (30) semester hours in a combination of mathematics, statistics, and computer science. At least fifteen (15) of the thirty (30) semester hours must have included any combination of statistics and mathematics that included differential and integral calculus. All academic degrees and course work must be from accredited or pre-accredited institutions.

In addition, in order to qualify for a Computer Scientist, GS-1550 position, at the GS-14 level, you must have:

• One (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-13 level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector, performing the following types of tasks: 1) Design algorithms and systems for analyzing large-scale datasets (i.e., exceeding a million rows) using advanced predictive analytics and AI/ML techniques. 2) Leading heterogeneous data integrations from disparate systems/computer servers/shared drives by implementing cloud technologies (e.g., Google Cloud Platform (GCP), Amazon Web Services (AWS)). 3) Develop database architectures for large-scale data handling, focusing on efficient data processing and storage (e.g., tables, functions, triggers). 4) Performing the full system life cycle: (1) project planning, (2) requirements analysis, (3) design/prototyping, (4) software development, (5) testing/quality assurance, (6) implementation/integration, and (7) operations/maintenance. 5) Developing desktop/web-based applications using programming languages (e.g., Java, C++). And 6) Performing project management functions (e.g., defining project goals, developing schedules) to oversee software/application projects.

You will receive credit for all experience material to the position, including experience gained in religious, civic, welfare, service, and organizational activities, regardless of whether you received pay.

Do not copy and paste the duties, specialized experience, or occupational assessment questionnaire from this announcement into your resume as that will not be considered a demonstration of your qualifications for this position.

To determine your qualifications and referral status, we may review your resume and supporting documentation and compare it against your responses to the vacancy questionnaire. Ensure you support your self-ratings with the information you provide in your application. We may verify or assess your qualifications at any time. Inflated or unsupported qualifications may affect your rating. Any misrepresentation or material omission of facts may be sufficient cause to end further consideration of your candidacy. Persons listed as knowing your past accomplishments or experience in your application may be contacted for verification purposes at any time. Verification may, but need not, begin before receiving an offer.

Preview assessment questionnaire before you apply:

Education

This position has an education requirement. You are strongly encouraged to submit a copy of your transcripts (or a list of your courses including titles, credit hours completed and grades). Unofficial transcripts will be accepted in the application package. Official transcripts will be required from all selectees prior to receiving an official offer. Click here for information on Foreign Education.

Additional information

• This position is designated as a "non-emergency/teleworker" position and the selected candidate will be considered a "non-emergency/teleworker" employee. In the event of a closure, you must be available to telework or request leave.
• At the supervisor's discretion, this position may offer work schedule flexibilities: Telework.
• Based on your appointment, a one or two-year trial/probationary period may be required. A decision regarding your continued employment with NIH will be made as you near the end of this period.
• If selected, you will be required to complete a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report, OGE Form 450 to determine if a conflict or an appearance of a conflict exists between your financial interest and your prospective position with the agency. This information is required annually. For information, visit the NIH Ethics website: https://ethics.od.nih.gov/fd.
• PHS Commissioned Officers interested in performing the duties of this position within the Commissioned Corps should apply online to this announcement to receive consideration.
• We may make additional selections for similar positions across the National Institutes of Health within the local commuting area(s) identified in this vacancy announcement. By applying, you agree to have your application shared with any interested selecting official(s) at NIH. Clearance of CTAP will be applied for similar positions across NIH.
• The NIH maintains a tobacco free work environment and campus.
• Must be able to perform the essential duties of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Visit Help Applying for helpful information on the application process.
• If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments here: Reasonable Accommodation Information
• Veterans' Preference only applies to Schedule A (disability appointment), HHS Reemployment Priority List (RPL) Eligibles, HHS Priority Reemployment List (PRL) Eligibles, and Veterans Recruitment Appointments (if applicable).

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Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Benefits

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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.